43, vegan and very active.. seriously???

Well, lifestyle does not determine whether one gets cancer. It can be a contributing factor, but not necessarily. Cancer is a genetic mutation. Even if you have no known family history, you could have inherited a gene predisposing you for cancer. I have an extensive family history, and, for decades, was almost waiting for the shoe to drop, before it did. I am also a vegan, btw. Best wishes!

I have a friend who is vegan and won't get mammograms because she believes she won't get cancer due to her lifestyle. She's 49.

It is interesting that you are HER2+ , yet only grade 1. Who knows? Maybe if you ate crappy, your cancer might have been more aggressive? Like yorkiemom said, I also think lifestyle can be a contributing factor but not a direct cause. I'm a firm believer in the crapshoot theory.

Genetics (not just the currently known genes) definitely play a role. I can also point to two other things I believe were contributors to my original dx and re-dx. HRT and other hormonal meds such as bc pills used over a lifetime, and stress. I honestly believe the latter is a huge factor for many of us and the thing I work as much to control as my lifestyle and diet, which have always been holisticly influenced (at various times vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, but very much plant based, organic and raw) and athletic. My lifestyle has kept me youthful, strong and healthy -- except for bc.

Crapshoot is a word I don't totally buy, although I use it, especially when someone is feeling guilty about a past behavior vis-a-vis their dx. I think things can appear to be a crapshoot when we don't understand all the mechanisms involved, but I suspect there are always causes or combinations of causes -- which may be very different for each of us -- so do in a way make it a crapshoot. But whether or not every cause, especially environmental toxins (as I personally suspect with younger women and TNBC), is preventable, I think is still to be seen. So I only like "crapshoot" as a way of saying, don't feel guilty because we just yet don't know," if that makes sense... Deanna

God bless you for adopting that baby! My yorkie passed 3 years ago. We now have a Pomeranian rescue. I just can't change my user name because I still feel connected to our precious little passed one. She has come back to me, and my husband, in several dreams. Have to say we also totally adore our new companion.

Yes, poopysheep, my friends all said, "What -- YOU?" because of my reputation for a clean lifestyle. Like some of the others above, I believe several factors come together to cause cancer, and these factors can vary for each person. I don't blame the victim, and there are factors we don't know about and/or can't control, such as our own genetics, random cell mutations, and environmental exposures. I do think it is worth doing what we can, as long as we understand it is not all in our control. Some things may help us get or stay healthier, or at least help us withstand treatment.

You asked what we can change in terms of lifestyle at this point, if we are already doing well with diet and exercise. Here is my list of things to consider and work on. This is not a list to stress over, but one to empower.

• Sleep -- Enough, and in a completely dark room for natural melatonin production
• De-stressing -- Meditation, prayer, yoga, mindfulness, nature, laughter. Balanced lifestyle.
• Social Support -- Friends, family, support groups, private counseling
• Joy and Meaning -- Your hobbies, enjoyable activities, sense of purpose, etc.
• Environment and Products--A sensible amount of sunshine for natural vitamin D and circadian rhythm. Avoid pesticides, BPA, parabens, etc.
• Nutrition
• Exercise

I'm 49, negative for all genetic mutations, vegan for 2 years, was vegetarian for 30+ prior to that, never smoked or drank, and a 5xweek swimmer for decades. And here I am with BC.